Chief Operations & People Officer - UC Davis at Another Source

Davis, California, United States -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

15 Apr, 26

Salary

230000.0

Posted On

15 Jan, 26

Experience

10 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Operations Leadership, Workforce Strategy, Organizational Culture, Human Resources, Information Technology, Facilities Management, Change Management, Organizational Development, Metrics-Driven Management, Employee Relations, Conflict Resolution, Talent Development, Performance Management, Communication, Judgment, Professionalism

Industry

Staffing and Recruiting

Description

At a glance UC Davis is recruiting a Chief Operating & People Officer to join its Continuing and Professional Education (CPE) team. This senior executive role is focused on the overall health, effectiveness, and alignment of the college's people, operations, and internal systems. Reporting directly to the Dean, the COPO serves as a trusted advisor on workforce strategy, organizational culture, and operational excellence, bringing unified leadership across Human Resources, Information Technology, Facilities, and Dean’s Office Operations. The role is designed to ensure that internal systems, people practices, and service standards work together seamlessly and proactively. This opportunity will resonate with a leader who enjoys leading through change, modernizing systems, and creating clarity in complex environments. The COPO will help define and lead a modern, integrated approach to people and operations that supports long-term excellence and a strong, healthy culture. Description: What you'll be doing Another Source’s client, University of California, Davis, is recruiting a Chief Operating and People Officer to join their Continuing and Professional Education team. This is a brand new position established to help lead and scale an expanding division during a period of significant growth. Here’s a little about UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education: UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education (CPE) is the lifelong learning arm of the university. The division maintains the most diverse program portfolio on campus, offering pre-college programs, professional continuing education, workforce development, international academic and cultural exchange, and training services for corporate and agency partners. As a global leader in continuing education, CPE serves learners regionally, nationally, and internationally, posting more than 55,000 enrollments annually and ranking as the third-largest UC Extension by enrollment. Learn more about CPE: https://cpe.ucdavis.edu/ About the role: The Chief Operating & People Officer (COPO) is a senior executive leadership role responsible for the overall health, effectiveness, and alignment of CPE’s people, operations, and internal administrative systems. Reporting directly to the Dean, the COPO serves as the division’s chief advisor on workforce strategy, organizational culture, and operational excellence. This role is intentionally designed to provide unified executive leadership across Human Resources, Information Technology, Facilities, and Dean’s Office Operations, ensuring that internal systems, people practices, and service standards operate cohesively and proactively. The COPO is charged with moving CPE from fragmented, reactive operational practices toward a modern, prevention-focused, metrics-driven operating model that supports growth, accountability, and a healthy workplace culture. The role reflects the Dean’s commitment to clarity, transparency, and sustained organizational excellence. The anticipated yearly salary range for this position is: $190,000-$230,000. Relocation support available. How you will spend your time Operational Leadership & Strategy (35%) Serve as the Dean’s primary partner on division-wide operations, workforce strategy, and administrative planning. Lead the modernization of internal systems, workflows, and service standards across HR, IT, Facilities, and Dean’s Office Operations. Establish clear operating rhythms, standard operating procedures, and cross-unit coordination protocols. Implement metrics-driven management practices, including Objectives and Key Results (OKRs), to improve accountability, transparency, and performance. Reduce operational ambiguity by clarifying roles, decision rights, escalation paths, and service expectations. Anticipate operational risks and design systems that prevent recurring “fire-fighting” scenarios. People, Culture & Workforce Leadership (35%) Provide executive oversight for all academic and staff human resources functions through direct supervision of the HR Director. Strengthen HR service quality, employee experience, and organizational trust through consistent communication, empathy, and follow-through. Lead workforce planning, talent development, performance management frameworks, and employee relations strategy. Champion a respectful, inclusive, and psychologically safe workplace aligned with UC Davis’ Principles of Community. Support leadership capability across the division through coaching, training, and development initiatives. Ensure people practices reinforce clarity, accountability, and shared ownership rather than reactivity or avoidance. Change Management & Organizational Development (15%) Lead CPE’s evolution toward a data-informed, agile, and high-performing organization. Identify structural, cultural, and workflow barriers that impede effectiveness or morale. Design and implement solutions that improve collaboration, role clarity, and decision-making. Partner with leadership to align organizational structure with growth, sustainability, and service expectations. Lead initiatives to strengthen hybrid work practices, communication norms, and in-person engagement. Executive Collaboration & Communication (15%) Serve as a member of the CPE Executive Leadership Team. Coordinate operational communication to ensure division-wide clarity around priorities, initiatives, and expectations. Act as a visible, trusted, and steady leadership presence across the division. Represent CPE with campus HR, Academic Affairs, IT, and administrative partners, advocating for divisional needs and alignment. Support the Dean in reinforcing consistent leadership expectations and organizational standards. Minimum Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Business, Public Administration, Human Resources, Organizational Development, or a related field. Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in operations, HR, organizational management, or administrative leadership. Any equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered. Demonstrated success in culture-building, employee relations, conflict resolution, and change leadership. Experience implementing metrics-driven management frameworks and modern performance systems. High emotional intelligence with the ability to build trust, communicate clearly, and navigate complex interpersonal dynamics. Excellent judgment, discretion, confidentiality, and professionalism. Preferred Qualifications Master’s degree (MBA, MPA, MA, JD, or related field). Experience in higher education or within the UC system, including academic personnel processes. Experience leading organizational transformation, workforce modernization, or digital operations improvement. Familiarity with UC labor relations, HR systems, and collective bargaining environments. What’s in it for you: Benefits - UC Davis received the 2017 World at Work Seal of Distinction, marking the fifth year the university has been honored for our range of employee benefits, including extras and work-life initiatives that go beyond salary to create a positive work environment. You can learn more about the offerings here: https://hr.ucdavis.edu/employees/benefits Equal Employment Opportunity and Non-Discrimination: UC Davis is a diverse community comprised of individuals having many perspectives and identities. We come from a multitude of backgrounds and experiences, with distinct needs and goals. We recognize that to create an inclusive and intellectually vibrant community, we must understand and value both our individual differences and our common ground. The UC Davis Principles of Community is an aspirational statement that embodies this commitment, and reflects the ideals we seek to uphold. Another Source works with their clients on a retained project basis. We are committed to building inclusive candidate pools as we partner with hiring teams. As you read through the job posting and review the list of qualifications (required and/or preferred), please do not self-select out if you feel you do not meet every qualification. No one is 100% qualified. We encourage you to apply and share your story with us. #AS1 #LI-DB1

Responsibilities

The Chief Operating & People Officer (COPO) is responsible for the overall health and effectiveness of the Continuing and Professional Education division's people and operations. This includes leading the modernization of internal systems and ensuring cohesive practices across various departments.